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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"